Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Arp Rosemary.
Grows to more than 5 feet tall. This rosemary has pale blue flowers and is very
cold-hardy to zone 6.
Golden Rosemary.
Also called Golden Rain. This rosemary has bright yellow-green leaves instead
of the dark green of most rosemary plants. The flowers are pale blue.
Pink Rosemary.
This rosemary variety has a slightly weeping variety and produces pale pink flow-
ers. Prune yearly to help the shrub hold its shape.
Santa Rosa Trailing Rosemary.
One of my personal favorite varieties, the trailing or creeping
rosemary has a weeping habit. Plant it in a raised bed or container where the trailing habit can be
enjoyed!
Spice Island Rosemary.
This 4-foot-tall variety grows with a strong upright growth habit. Dark
blue flowers appear in late winter through early spring.
White Rosemary.
Beautiful bushy habit, this rosemary grows 4 feet tall and wide and produces
pure white flowers.
Sage (
Salvia officinalis
)
Sage is a perennial plant, almost shrublike, with highly fragrant foliage and brightly colored flow-
ers. The leaves are usually textured and often have a silvery or grey tint to them even in the colored
varieties. Sage is one of those plants that many add to their ornamental gardens without realizing
what a boon it is for the kitchen as well. The perennial shrubs are hardy in zones 4 through 10.
Sage can be planted in the autumn with other shrubs, or in the spring. To start seeds, sow indoors
six weeks before the last frost and transplant after the weather has warmed up a bit but allow plenty
of time for the seeds to germinate. Provide sage with well-drained soil because the shrub is drought
tolerant and doesn't require excess water.
Give sage room to spread its wings—the greedy shrub will easily take 2 feet in the garden space.
Provide sage with full sun and well-drained soil and it will provide plenty of fresh leaves for har-
vesting. Sage is best used fresh and you can add a few leaves over the hot coals of the grill to smoke
meat.
There are few pests that attack sage, but spider mites can be a problem sometimes. Slugs can also
attack sage, so watch for signs of those slimy trails. Poor air circulation can make powdery mildew
more likely, so give your salvias enough room.
Because sage is a perennial, you do not have to harvest all the leaves in one fell swoop. Harvest
about a quarter of the leaves each year and allow the plant to grow back each year. If you want to
be fussy with your sage you can pinch back the flowering stalks, but I enjoy the hummingbirds
that are attracted to the flowers.
